Making Ionia Department of Public Safety K-9 project a reality

Cash in hand for the new Ionia Department of Public Safety K-9 unit topped $9,000 Wednesday after the Sparrow Ionia Hospital Foundation presented the department with a check for $1,500.The vice president of the foundation board, Larry McKaig, said the foundation's board members believe the police canine will be good for the entire community."We support this," McKaig said. "What they will be able to do with the dog benefits everybody, including the hospital community."More donations have been promised by area residents and business people for the start-up program, which will cost an estimated $14,000, said IDPS Director Troy Thomas. The amount includes around $10,000 to purchase the dog and train its handler — Officer Jennifer Skorka — and the balance for medical care and food for the dog, and outfitting a police vehicle with K-9 equipment.The canine, a 2-year-old German shepherd named Blocker who was bred for this kind of work, Skorka said, has been reserved at Mid-Michigan Kennels in Eaton Rapids. Blocker and Skorka are set to become partners and begin training together in August.Sparrow Ionia Hospital president and CEO Bill Roeser has always been a supportive community partner, according to Thomas."We're thankful to Bill and the Sparrow Ionia Hospital Foundation for helping us with this project," he said. "The foundation was one of the first to commit to donating money, and we are fortunate that many other community members are also coming forward to help make the K-9 project a reality."Follow Karen Bota on Twitter @KarenB_ISS.

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